Dr Suad bint Mohammed al Lamkia, the first woman lawyer in Oman and the Gulf region, passed away on Friday. 

Born in Hilat al Dhahir in the wilayat of Rustaq, Suad went on to study law at Trinity College in Ireland and train as a judge at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns for the Irish bar in Dublin.

As a young girl growing up in Hilat al Dhahir, Suad loved detective novels and was inspired to study law.

Having started work as a lawyer in 1966, she retired in 2011. Besides being a member of the Public Prosecution, a judge and advisor in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Suad also worked as a lecturer in law. 

In her career, she also served stints at Omantel, Petroleum Development Oman and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. 

Starting in 1994, she worked as a legal advisor in the Ministry of Legal Affairs until she retired.

Speaking to Muscat Daily on her demise, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim al Zadjali, president of Omani Lawyers Association (OLA), said, “We share the grief of Counsellor Suad’s death with her sons and relatives, and ask God to rest her soul in peace. She represented Oman in many international legal agreements and also participated in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United States.”

OLA honoured Suad on Omani Women’s Day in October 2020 for her contribution in the field of law in the country.

In her acceptance speech at the award presentation, Suad said, “My advice to women lawyers is to have confidence in whatever they do. They should continue to expand their knowledge because knowledge is what can give them confidence.”